Pope Leo XIV Calls for Zero Tolerance of Abuse Within the Church

LIMA, Peru, June 21, 2025: Pope Leo XIV condemned all forms of abuse within the Catholic Church, reaffirmed the Vatican’s commitment to press freedom, and praised journalists who expose injustice in a message read aloud during a performance of the theatrical production Proyecto Ugaz in Lima on Thursday. The play pays tribute to investigative journalist Paola Ugaz, renowned for her reporting on the now-suppressed Sodalitium Christianae Vitae—a lay organisation at the centre of abuse and corruption allegations in Latin America. Ugaz has endured sustained harassment for her courageous work.

The Pope’s message was delivered by Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu, apostolic commissioner for the suppressed Sodalitium. It directly addressed the ongoing harassment faced by Ugaz and called for a global culture of zero tolerance for abuse. 

Pope Leo began his message with three expressions of gratitude:

He praised the creators of Proyecto Ugaz and described the play as “not just theatre, but memory, protest, and above all, an act of justice” for giving voice to long-silenced pain.

He expressed solidarity with the victims of abuse committed by the Sodalitium and praised the journalists who supported them, saying they “reflect the wounded yet hopeful face of the Church.” Their pursuit of justice, he said, is also the Church’s mission: “A faith that does not touch the wounds of the human body and soul has not yet understood the Gospel.”

He acknowledged those who persevered in their fight for justice against the abuse despite being ignored, discredited, or legally attacked: “The pain of the victims and their families is our pain too… We must renew our commitment to protect minors and vulnerable adults.”

Pope Leo stressed that true ecclesial reform is not rhetorical but a path of humility, truth, and reparation: “Prevention and care are not just pastoral strategies—they are the heart of the Gospel.”

Finally, he praised Paola Ugaz for her courage in personally addressing Pope Francis on November 10, 2022, and advocating for herself and the other journalists who exposed abuses committed by the Sodalitium.

The Pope also acknowledged the broader harm caused by the Sodalitium, including financial abuses affecting entire communities such as those in Catacaos and Castilla.

Pope Leo reaffirmed the sacred role of journalism, emphasising that truth does not belong to any one individual. He stated that it is the responsibility of all to seek, preserve, and serve the truth. He added that in this time of deep institutional and social tensions, defending free and ethical journalism is not only an act of justice but a duty for all who aspire to a strong and participatory democracy.

He appealed to Peruvian authorities, civil society, and every citizen to protect those who report the truth with integrity. “Wherever a journalist is silenced, the democratic soul of a country is weakened,” he wrote.

The Pope’s message concluded with a heartfelt appeal to all Peruvian communicators: “Do not be afraid. Through your work, you can be builders of peace, unity, and social dialogue. Be sowers of light in the shadows.”

Courtesy: Vatican News

Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez Torres